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Abstract

The main reason for the progressive increase in the incidence of thyroiditis is better recognition. Nevertheless, the diagnosis of thyroiditis is still missed frequently or made late.

Since surgical intervention is rarely necessary in the treatment of thyroiditis, and since effective medical and radiologic treatment is available, it is extremely important that the diagnosis be made accurately and promptly so that needless operations can be avoided. This can best be done by bearing the possibility of thyroiditis in mind in connection with any enlargement of the thyroid and by confirming the diagnosis in questionable cases by biopsy of the thyroid